Suppose you are walking on the sidewalk leading into a local hardware store. Your foot catches on a raised concrete slab, and you fall and sprain your ankle. Not only are you in excruciating pain, but you might be wondering what to do next. Also, you fear that your injury is serious and that you will now have to go to the doctor.
If you are hurt on someone else’s business or private property, the physical conditions causing your accident could make the owner liable for your injury. With the help of an experienced accident attorney near you, you can get the compensation you need. If you are ever in this kind of situation, take the following steps to help you protect your rights.
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after an injury, seeking medical care should be your priority. Have someone call an ambulance if necessary. Even if a wound appears minor, only a doctor will know for sure. It could worsen and become serious if you wait too long to get treatment.
When you see the doctor, be clear and detailed about how, where, and when you got hurt. Make sure any provider you talk to writes in your medical chart the conditions causing your injury, which will serve as evidence for your claim.
You may be tempted to stay and collect evidence before getting medical attention. Remember that the longer you wait to see a doctor, the harder it may be to prove a connection between your injury and the conditions causing it. If you delay for too long, the property owner’s insurance company may claim that the injury was not as severe as you claim or that it occurred before your accident.
Report the Incident
Immediately after incurring your injury, let the property owner know and make it clear that you were hurt on their premises. If you are at a business, find the owner, manager, or security officer immediately and ask to submit an incident report. If you are the victim of an assault on someone else’s property, you should contact the police and keep a copy of the report for your claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
Taking pictures is the best way to capture any evidence of the incident. A smartphone or phone with a camera is sufficient to take images of your injury, the entire accident scene, and the hazardous conditions leading to your injury.
If other people were present and saw your accident, talk to them and ask for their contact information. Your attorney will need to get their statements about what they witnessed. Also, keep the clothes and shoes you wore. Do not launder them, especially if they have grass, dirt, blood, or material connected to the incident.
If you didn’t collect evidence when your injury occurred, return to the property as soon as possible. The owner might try to reduce their liability by cleaning up or removing the physical conditions contributing to your injury.
Keep Track of Expenses
If you are filing a claim for damages, you will need proof in the form of medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Keep copies of all your pay stubs, doctor’s notes, medical bills, and other expenses. Make sure your local personal injury lawyer also has copies of your documentation.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Signing Anything
Make sure you seek legal advice before the property owner’s insurance company contacts you with an offer. They could try to get you to sign a release or accept a lowball you on an offer. The insurance representative might even seem genuinely concerned about your recovery. However, no matter what they tell or offer you, sign nothing without first contacting an attorney.
If you lack the experience or confidence to handle an insurance adjuster, let your lawyer do it. A personal injury lawyer with Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, LPA, Co., has the skill to negotiate with insurers. They also can build a strong claim and protect your rights.